When Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson was leading Showtime as a player, it was no secret he had influence when it came to basketball decisions with the team. He was an all-world, three-time NBA MVP and a linchpin on five NBA championship teams.

So it came as little surprise on Friday when Johnson said during a conference call that new Laker LeBron James will have similar influence with his new team.

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"Just like when I was playing, (owner Dr. Jerry Buss) and (general manager) Jerry West would come to me when we were thinking about making moves," Johnson said, per the Los Angeles Times. "They'd say, 'Hey, who do you think can help us that we can get?' I'd always give out a couple names ... then Jerry West would make his decision with Dr. Buss. It's gonna be the same way here."

James joined the Lakers as a free agent after leading the Cavaliers to four consecutive NBA Finals, including winning the title in 2016. He signed a four-year, $154 million contract earlier this week.

James' influence has extended beyond the court throughout his career ­- during two stops in Cleveland and in Miami, where he won his other two NBA championships. And his basketball IQ is off the charts as well.

"We're gonna go to LeBron and say … 'What do you think about this guy?'" Johnson said, per the Times. "'You know him. You play against him. You know the back story and everything about the guy. You probably know a lot more than we know.' That's what you're supposed to do."

James' new team hasn't had a winning season since 2012-13 and last won an NBA championship in 2010. The Lakers were 35-47 last season, their best record since 2012-13. James is expected to change all that, and both James and Johnson know a big part of any turnaround will depend on James' supporting cast.

"It's not about influence - it's about sitting down with the world's greatest player and picking his brain," Johnson said, per ESPN.